Suspension module for a toy vehicle

ABSTRACT

An interchangeable suspension module for use in a toy vehicle comprising: a suspension block and one or more wheels rotatably mounted on the suspension block. The suspension module is removably mountable on the toy vehicle by a user. The user can modify the performance of the toy vehicle by removing from the toy vehicle one interchangeable suspension module which imparts a certain performance to the toy vehicle, and replacing it with a second interchangeable suspension module which imparts a different performance. A toy vehicle having a chassis that is adapted to receive one or more interchangeable suspension modules is also provided.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a toy vehicle, and more particularly to a suspension module for use in a toy vehicle.

BACKGROUND

The performance of a toy vehicle, such as a toy car, is influenced by many factors, including its suspension and wheels. The suspension contributes to the road-holding and handling characteristics, and style of performance of a toy vehicle. For example, some toy vehicles have suspensions that are tuned to provide good handling characteristics on drag strips but do not perform as well on twisty curvy tracks. Other toy vehicles may be capable of performing stunts like loops and jumps while others are not. The front suspension of a toy vehicle may be different from the rear suspension depending on the desired performance characteristics.

As well, features of the wheels of a toy vehicle, such as size, width, radius, weight, road grip, material and design, can also affect the toy vehicle's style of performance and appearance. For example, the speed of some toy vehicles is limited because of the friction produced between the wheels and the axle. This limitation prevents toy vehicles from achieving optimal performance when used for racing. Therefore, different toy vehicles are required to get the performance characteristics desired, depending on the types of track these toy vehicles are intended to be used on.

Because existing suspensions and wheels are often permanently built into a toy vehicle during the manufacturing process, it is difficult for users to upgrade their existing toy vehicle to provide a different look or to provide different handling or performance characteristics unless they buy another toy vehicle that has the desired characteristics. Therefore, there is a need for an interchangeable suspension module and a new toy vehicle that is capable of receiving interchangeable suspension modules so that a user can alter the performance of the toy vehicle by simply switching suspension modules.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the present invention provides an interchangeable suspension module for use in a toy vehicle. The interchangeable suspension module includes a suspension block and one or more wheels rotatably mounted on the suspension block. The interchangeable suspension module can be removed from the toy vehicle and be replaced with another suspension module by a user. The user can modify the performance of the toy vehicle by removing from the toy vehicle a first interchangeable suspension module having at least one first value of at least one performance property, and replacing it with a second interchangeable suspension module having at least one second value of the at least one performance property, where the at least one first value is different from the at least one second value.

In at least one embodiment, the at least one performance property is one or more of weight, wheel friction, wheel width, wheel radius and wheel grip.

A further aspect of the present invention provides a toy vehicle having a chassis that is adapted to receive an interchangeable suspension module as described herein.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a kit comprising a plurality of interchangeable suspension modules as described herein; and a toy vehicle comprising a chassis adapted to receive each of the plurality of interchangeable suspension modules.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following written description and the accompanying drawings and the appended claims in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of one embodiment of the present toy vehicle.

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of one embodiment of the present toy vehicle, with one suspension block removed.

FIG. 3 is a bottom exploded view of one embodiment of the present interchangeable suspension module.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a wheel and axle of the embodiment of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present interchangeable suspension module has a suspension block, one or more wheels rotatably mounted on the suspension block, and at least one performance property that acts to modify the performance of a toy vehicle. The interchangeable suspension module is removably attached to the chassis of a toy vehicle and can be removed and replaced with another interchangeable suspension module by a user to alter the performance characteristics and the appearance of the toy vehicle. As will be appreciated by the person of skill in the art, and as described further below, the suspension module can vary in shape, size, weight, material, design and construction, as long as it can be interchangeably attached to the chassis of the toy vehicle. Furthermore, an interchangeable suspension module for attachment to the front of the chassis can be the same as or different from an interchangeable suspension module for attachment to the rear of the chassis. Screws or other retaining means known to the person of skill in the art can be used to secure the present interchangeable suspension module to the chassis of the present toy vehicle.

The one or more wheels are rotatably mounted on the suspension block by mechanisms well known in the art, including but not limited to an axle. In at least one embodiment, the one or more wheels are mounted on a single axle which passes through the suspension block. Alternatively, in at least one embodiment, the one or more wheels are mounted on a split axle or on one or more stub axles which are each attached to or embedded in the suspension block. Other methods of mounting wheels rotatably on the suspension block will be apparent to the skilled person.

In at least one embodiment of the present interchangeable suspension module, the surface area of contact between the wheels and the axle is limited so as to minimize the rolling friction. This enables the wheels to rotate faster, allowing a toy vehicle to achieve optimal performance when used for racing. In at least another embodiment of the present interchangeable suspension module, either or both of the wheels and the axle are coated with a friction-reducing material, including but not limited to TEFLON™ (polytetrafluoroethylene, PTFE), to reduce the rolling friction produced when a toy vehicle is in operation. Other suitable friction-reducing materials that are known to the person of skill in the art can also be used.

At least one embodiment of the present interchangeable suspension module comprises a biasing element. The biasing element comprises a spring or other mechanisms known to the person of skill in the art that can provide some resilient resistance to the vertical movement of a wheel so as to keep the wheel substantially in contact with the surface of the track when a toy vehicle is in operation. This suspension mechanism provided by the biasing element enhances the road-holding capability and the handling characteristics of the toy vehicle.

The performance of a toy vehicle can be modified by exchanging one interchangeable suspension module, having one value of at least one performance property for a second interchangeable suspension module having a different value of the at least one performance property. Such performance properties include but are not limited to the weight of the suspension module, including the weight of the suspension block and/or the wheel weight; wheel size, including the radius and width of the wheel; the friction between the wheel and the axle upon which the wheel is mounted; and wheel grip. Wheel grip, or the grip the wheel holds on the track, can be influenced by factors including but not limited to the contact area between the wheel and the ground, the material of which the wheel is made and the tread pattern of the wheel.

The weight of the interchangeable suspension module can influence the performance characteristics of a toy vehicle on which the interchangeable suspension module is mounted. For example, a heavyweight suspension module is desirable for use in a toy vehicle that is intended for high-speed racing on a drag strip. A lightweight suspension module is preferred to provide a toy vehicle with stability and better handling characteristics when racing on twisty curvy racetracks or when performing stunts. A lightweight suspension module also minimizes swerving of the toy vehicle when cornering. A medium-weight suspension module, on the other hand, provides balance and stability.

The weight of the present suspension module can be modified by methods well known in the art. For example, a suspension block may be manufactured to be substantially hollow or substantially solid, or to have a separate weight enclosed or mounted within the suspension block. Furthermore, varying the type and density of material used for constructing the suspension block can modify the weight of the suspension block, and therefore, that of the interchangeable suspension module. In addition, the weight of the wheels can be modified. The wheels can be designed with a solid disc-like hub or with spokes separated by larger or smaller void spaces, so as to increase or decrease wheel mass. Alternatively, material of varying density, such as metal, or heavy or lightweight plastics, can be chosen for wheel manufacture.

Other performance properties can be altered to vary the style of performance and the appearance of the present toy vehicle. The wheels can be powered or non-powered, can be made of different materials, and can vary in width and radius. For example, the material and design of the wheels, including the treads, can be modified so as to affect the grip of the wheels on the track or the amount of friction produced between the wheels and axle when a toy vehicle is in operation.

The performance characteristics provided by the present interchangeable suspension module can be indicated on the interchangeable suspension module with indicia such as labels, icons, and the like. Such indicia can aid a user to identify and choose an interchangeable suspension module that has the desired performance characteristics for a toy vehicle.

Turning now to the figures, FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of the present toy vehicle 10, having a body 12, a chassis 14 and front and rear suspension modules 16. The front and rear suspension modules 16 can be identical to or different from each other. As seen in FIG. 2, the suspension modules 16 can be removed from chassis 14 by removing screw 17, and replaced with another suspension module 16 with different performance features. The replacement suspension module 16 can be secured to the chassis 14 by inserting screw 17 through mounting aperture 18 into screw aperture 19.

As seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, suspension module 16 includes suspension block 20 and wheels 21. In at least one embodiment, shown in FIG. 3, cap 22 and housing 24 are connected to form suspension block 20 by inserting screws (not shown) into screw apertures 26 and 28. However, suspension block 20 can be manufactured by any method known in the art, including connecting individual sections using adhesives or snap-fit, and molding or forming the suspension block 20 so as to be of unitary construction. Suspension module 16 is mounted on chassis 14 by inserting screw 17 through mounting aperture 18 in cap 22, as seen in FIG. 2.

In at least one embodiment, suspension block 20 includes internal aperture 30. The size of internal aperture 30 can be adjusted according to the desired weight of suspension block 20. Thus, for heavier suspension blocks, internal aperture 30 can have a relatively small volume, and for lighter hollow suspension blocks, internal aperture 30 can occupy a significant portion of the internal volume of suspension block 20. Internal aperture 30 can also be adapted to receive a separate weight (not shown).

As best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, axle 32 is received in internal aperture 30, which is sized to allow vertical movement of axle 32 when toy vehicle 10 is in use. Axle 32 is a single rigid shaft, which also passes through apertures 33 in rotors 34. Suspension module 16 also includes biasing element 36 in the form of a spring, which biases axle 32 in a direction towards cap 22 and away from chassis 14, so as to urge wheels 21 towards the ground when the toy vehicle is in use. During use, axle 32 and wheels 21 may be temporarily urged towards housing 24 and chassis 14 against the bias of biasing element 36, such as when, for example, the toy vehicle lands after performing a stunt or passes over a bump in a track. However, axle 32 and wheels 21 are restored to a position biased towards cap 22 through the action of biasing element 36.

Wheels 21 are rotatably mounted on both ends of axle 32. In at least one alternative embodiment, axle 32 can also be a split axle or a stub axle embedded in suspension block 20. In at least one embodiment, as shown, for example, in FIGS. 4 and 5, wheels 21 are mounted over axle sleeve 38 on axle 32 so as to minimize the surface area of contact between wheel 21 and axle 32. Axle sleeve 38 can be made of a friction reducing material such as TEFLON™, thereby reducing the rolling friction produced when a toy vehicle is in operation.

The embodiments of the present invention described herein are intended to be illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Various modifications which are readily apparent to the person of skill in the art are intended to be within the scope of the invention, the only limitations to which are set forth in the appended claims. 

1. An interchangeable suspension module for use in a toy vehicle having a chassis, the interchangeable suspension module comprising: a suspension block; and one or more wheels rotatably mounted on the suspension block; wherein the interchangeable suspension module is removably mountable on the toy vehicle by a user; and wherein performance of the toy vehicle is modifiable by the user, by removing from the toy vehicle a first interchangeable suspension module having at least one first value of at least one performance property and mounting on the toy vehicle a second interchangeable suspension module having at least one second value of the at least one performance property, the at least one first value being different from the at least one second value.
 2. The interchangeable suspension module of claim 1 wherein the at least one performance property is one or more of weight, wheel friction, wheel width, wheel radius and wheel grip.
 3. The interchangeable suspension module of claim 1 wherein the suspension block further comprises a biasing element to bias the one or more wheels in a direction away from the chassis when the toy vehicle is in operation.
 4. The interchangeable suspension module of claim 3 wherein the biasing element comprises a spring.
 5. The interchangeable suspension module of claim 1 wherein the one or more wheels are each rotatably mounted on an axle.
 6. The interchangeable suspension module of claim 5 wherein at least one surface area of contact between the one or more wheels and the axle is reduced to minimize rolling friction when the toy vehicle is in operation.
 7. The interchangeable suspension module of claim 5 wherein at least one of the axle and the one or more wheels are coated with a friction-reducing material.
 8. The interchangeable suspension module of claim 7 wherein the friction-reducing material is TEFLON.
 9. A toy vehicle comprising a chassis adapted to receive one or more interchangeable suspension modules according to claim
 1. 10. A kit comprising: a plurality of interchangeable suspension modules according to claim 1; and a toy vehicle comprising a chassis adapted to receive each of the plurality of interchangeable suspension modules. 